Casa Bacardi joins Beaumont’s Tex Mex scene

Casa Bacardi’s Tartuga plate consists of an avocado filled with seasoned meat and cheese and is served with a cheese puff and rice with shrimp.Guiseppe Barranco/cat5

In the restaurant biz, it’s all about location. For the owners of Casa Bacardi, the third time will hopefully be the charm.

While their first restaurant, 10 de Mayo, is still going strong at College and Major, many folks were dismayed when its sister spot, El Potrillo, shuttered a while back.

Now fans have an alternate locale to enjoy the margaritas and quality Tex-Mex that gave the other two stores a solid reputation in the Tex-Mex scene.

Located on the Interstate 10 feeder road, Casa Bacardi can also be accessed through a side entrance from Laurel.

From the Spanish tile floor to the wooden horse benches that are iconic to this family of restaurants, you would never imagine that a barbecue joint previously inhabited the space.

The menu has stayed basically the same as El Potrillo’s, with the addition of a few mouth-watering options. Avocado lovers will enjoy the Tortuga Azteca, an avocado stuffed with meat and cheese served with bacon and other necessary sides. And for those who can never have enough crawfish, try their etouffee. It’s got a nice Mexican kick.

Casa Bacardi's Tartuga plate consists of an avocado filled with seasoned meat and cheese and is served with a cheese puff and rice with shrimp.
Photo taken Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise less

Casa Bacardi's Tartuga plate consists of an avocado filled with seasoned meat and cheese and is served with a cheese puff and rice with shrimp.
Photo taken Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Guiseppe Barranco/The ... more

Recommendations: Katrina and Martin Romero make the drive all the way from Jasper just for Casa Bacardi food and drinks.

“The food is very authentic and flavorful and their drinks are worth every penny,” Katrina said. “I don’t eat meat and I love their queso asada. The authentic Mexican guacamole is awesome.”

“The tacos are the best in Beaumont,” Martin added, digging into his giant plate of street-style fajita tacos.

Their friend, Aisha Edwards, pointed to her giant frozen margarita topped with an upside-down Blue Moon.

“This is what I’m here for,” she said. “It’s perfect — the margarita pairs really well with the Blue Moon and they even put the orange slices on it.”

Juaune Clemons is already a regular, even in the short time Casa Bacardi has been open.

“They have the best ceviche here,” she said. “And I like the homemade tortillas and the sangria, Italian, and Patron margaritas. I also recommend The La Reyna. It’s a grilled chicken with onions, bell peppers and shrimp.”

Colin and Laurie Echols were visiting for the first time with their two young daughters, based on a recommendation from Colin’s dad.

“I’m the one that likes Mexican, so this was a good choice,” Colin said. “The bacon wrapped shrimp are awesome — the flavor is good.”

Laurie liked the fact that one child eats free on Saturdays and Sundays.

“This massive bowl of shrimp soup is awesome and the shrimp are huge,” she said. “I’d recommend it and we will come back.”

The drink situation: Enjoy a wide range of margarita options, as well as domestic and import beers and a small selection of wine. There is a full bar and the bartenders would be happy to make you a mixed drink.

Atmosphere: is definitely Mexican fiesta, with plenty of Spanish tile, bright colors and decorations. Choose a booth or table, or take a seat at the bar and watch some soccer on the television.

Extras and Specials: Happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and you can enjoy $1.99 regular and flavored margaritas.

A strawberry margarita would pair perfectly with their chips and hot sauce. Both the green and red are served warm and are contenders for the best in town. Don’t miss the Mexican guacamole dip. This simple concoction of avocado chunks, pico de gallo, lime and salt is my idea of avocado perfection.

The verdict: If you can never have enough Tex Mex, you have a new reason to rejoice. Casa Bacardi has a solid offering of traditional Mexican food, Tex Mex favorites and expertly prepared margaritas.